NewJeans on Adore Exclusive Contract Lawsuit: "Trust Broken... Fulfilling Remaining 5-Year Contract Is Inhumane"

NewJeans Members Announce Additional Statement on 6th
"Exclusive Contract Termination Takes Effect"
"Return Excess Investment Profits"

Amid the heated controversy over the termination of the exclusive contract between the group NewJeans and their agency ADOR, the five members of NewJeans reaffirmed their previous stance through an official statement, saying, "We are no longer under ADOR as of November 29, 2024."

The group NewJeans is attending a press conference regarding the termination of their exclusive contract held on the afternoon of the 28th at SpaceShare Samsung Station Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. From left to right: Haerin, Danielle, Minji, Hani, Hyelin. November 28, 2024. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 6th, the five members of NewJeans?Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein?issued an official statement strongly refuting the lawsuit filed by ADOR seeking confirmation of the validity of the exclusive contract.

In their statement, the NewJeans members claimed, "ADOR and HYBE have already gained profits exceeding the investment we returned," and yet the company attempted to create defamatory public opinion (reverse viral marketing) and, following the replacement of internal executives, engaged in acts of neglect, which they said were the main reasons for the breakdown of trust.

They also emphasized, "There is no longer any reason to continue with ADOR and HYBE, who have abandoned their duty to protect their artists."

NewJeans stated that based on the clauses specified in the exclusive contract, they requested ADOR to rectify contract violations within 14 days, but ADOR failed to comply. Accordingly, they notified the termination of the contract, which they claim took immediate effect.

The members expressed deep regret over ADOR's position, saying, "Rather than claiming there was no contract violation, ADOR is misleading the public by repeatedly arguing that the investment has not been recovered."

NewJeans also revealed that after announcing the termination, their managers and performance directors faced sudden investigations and harassment from ADOR and HYBE, criticizing, "Despite diligently fulfilling the scheduled activities, the company's unfair behavior continues."

At Seoul World Cup Stadium during halftime of the second match of the 2024 Coupang Play Series between Tottenham and Bayern Munich, the group NewJeans is performing. Photo by Yonhap News.

ADOR plans to resolve this matter through legal procedures. ADOR maintains that the termination of the exclusive contract is not effective and has expressed their intention to seek legal confirmation through litigation.

Meanwhile, the Korea Management Federation and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association expressed concerns that the independent actions of the NewJeans members could disrupt the order of the music industry. This suggests that the incident may have repercussions beyond a simple lawsuit.

NewJeans stated, "The road ahead will not be easy, but we want to realize our dreams together with our fans through healthy musical activities," showing their intention to pursue independent activities. They also expressed hope that "the reasons for ADOR's contract violations will be clearly revealed during the trial process."